How to get proof of your no-claims bonus

You’ve been a careful driver for years, nurturing your no-claims bonus so that it’ll reward you with a valuable discount on your car insurance. So, when you switch insurance providers for a better deal, you’ll definitely want to take it with you.

Here’s how to get proof of your no-claims bonus.

Written by

Kate Hughes

Insurance expert

Last Updated

4 JUNE 2024

4 min read

How to get proof of no-claims bonus

Your insurance provider won’t always send you proof of a no-claims bonus (or discount – it’s the same thing) automatically when you switch.

Sometimes your new provider will ask your old provider for the proof of no-claims discount themselves – they’ll let you know if they do. Or your new provider may choose to look up details of your no-claims bonus on the NCD database run by the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB).

But, if for some reason they don’t, you’ll need to get proof yourself. Here’s how to find proof of no-claims yourself:

Look for the details on your renewal letter – you may be able to access this in your online account
Look on the cancellation notice you’ll receive if you’re switching
Contact your provider and ask them to send you a letter as proof.

Once you’ve forwarded proof to your new provider, they should confirm they’ve received it. If you don’t hear anything, follow up to make sure they have it.

What is a no-claims bonus?

A no-claims bonus can earn you a discount on your car insurance premium by proving to an insurance provider that you’re less of a risk to insure, based on your claims history.

Each year that you drive but don’t make a claim on your car insurance, you’ll be awarded a year’s worth of no-claims bonus. The more consecutive years that you build up without making a claim, the lower the risk you are to a motor insurance provider.

Because you’re a lower risk to insure, you’ll get a discount on your car insurance premium as a reward. This discount is usually calculated as a percentage of your premium. The longer you’re claim-free, the bigger the percentage.

How much could my no-claims bonus save me?

There’s no set discount for drivers with a no-claims bonus – it’s up to the provider to decide. But a longer period with no claims should reward you with a cheaper car insurance quote compared to drivers in the same circumstances who have a lower no-claims bonus.

Indeed, your no-claims discount (NCD) plays a big part in how your car insurance premium is calculated.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), you could get as much as a 30% discount on your car insurance premium for just one year without making a claim. Meanwhile, they estimate that drivers who have built up a five-year no-claims bonus could get a discount of up to 60%.

How long does proof of no-claims last?

In general, your no-claims bonus will last so long as you’re insured and don’t make a claim.

However, the maximum number of years of no-claims bonus you can build up consecutively varies depending on the insurance provider. For example, some providers may set a limit of nine years – check the terms of your policy to see what applies to you.

Once you reach your provider’s upper limit, any additional years of no claims will stop counting. For example, even if you haven’t made a claim in 15 years, it’ll still be marked on your record as nine – if that’s their maximum.

Will my no-claims bonus expire?

Your no-claims bonus will typically last for two years, after your car insurance has expired. So, if you don’t drive for more than two years, you’ll likely lose your no-claims bonus and have to start building it up again.

If you’re renewing or switching your car insurance policy, then it’ll just continue to build – unless you make a claim, of course.

How long do I have to give proof of my no-claims discount?

If you’ve switched to a new provider, they may ask you to send proof of the no-claims bonus (NCB) you stated in your quote. The timeframe varies among providers, but it could be due within one to three weeks of taking out your policy.

If you can’t provide it by then, your insurance may be cancelled or your premium could go up.

How do I know how much no-claims bonus I have?

When you get a quote for car insurance, you may be asked how much no-claims bonus you’ve built up over the years. If you’re not sure, your renewal letter or email is a good place to start. This will be sent to you before your renewal date, meaning you’ll still have time to switch.

Alternatively, get in touch with your insurance provider.

What counts as proof of no claims?

Insurance providers accept (and give) proof in different ways.

They’ll typically want to see something in writing from your previous provider, but they may have specific requirements about what information is included on the document. So, when you switch, it’s a good idea to check what proof of no claims your new car insurance provider will need.

Ask them what details they need to see on the document – the registration number of the car the discount applies to, for example. Also check if you’re able to upload a scan to your provider directly or if you need to email or post a copy.

If they need the original, make sure you keep a copy for your own records.

What our expert says...

“A no-claims bonus can make a big difference to the price you’re quoted for your car insurance, so it pays to make sure it’s transferred over correctly when you switch providers.

“If you’ve taken a break from driving, it’s good to know that your previous no-claims bonus may still apply. So long as you’ve been insured to drive within the last two years, you should be able to continue building your no-claims discount when you get back behind the wheel.”

- Kate Hughes, Insurance expert

Protecting your no-claims discount

Claiming for an accident where you’re at fault could mean losing that valuable no-claims discount. Some drivers choose to pay a fee, on top of their insurance premium, to protect it.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean your premiums won’t rise if you have a collision.

Providers look at your driving history when they calculate your premium and they’ll take into account any claims that you have made when they calculate how risky you are to insure.

That means an accident could have an impact on how much you pay for your car insurance, even if you have a no-claims bonus. But protecting your no-claims bonus could still be worth it for you, if you’ve built up a considerable discount and you don’t want to risk losing it.